Have you ever played on a team? What is one of the key components to a teams’ success? How does the team need to present itself to its opponent? What is it that can doom a team to failure? What does being on a team and being a follower of Christ have in common?
Most of us have played on a team at some point in our lives. If we have not, we may have been in a band. Even if we have done neither, we have observed them and can understand there is one key component each team must have to be successful.
What is the key component? Teamwork. The team must work well together. They must be unified in their goal. Each member must do their part to achieve team success. When there is dissension among the members, the team will fail. Their cohesion is key.
I have seen a less talented team defeat a more talented team all because they worked well as a team. In fact, I played on a team that won a championship by defeating a more talented team—not once, but twice in the same double elimination tournament. It is extremely gratifying when you can be part of a team such as that. It is also quite obvious to see dissension on the opposing team. When a team starts arguing the moment they get behind, you know the win is within your grasp, even if you are the less talented team.
How does this equate to our Christian walk? As the body of Christ, we must be unified. If we are to defeat the evil in this world, we must all be focused on the same goal. We must be of one mind. If we allow personal preferences to get in the way, we are doomed to failure.
How do we go about being of the same mind? We are to have the attitude of Christ. Taking on His attitude will remove our selfishness. We will ask what Christ wants us to do and pursue it. To defeat the evil in this world, we must come together as a body of Christ, setting aside our differences in mad-made guidance, following the example of Christ.
Notice Paul is telling the Roman church they are to be of one mind and one voice. This means to focus fully on Jesus and speak as He spoke rather than competing against one another. We cannot be a team filled with superstars who compete for personal statistics rather than the team’s success. Doing so sets us up for defeat. Speaking as Jesus spoke, teaching what Jesus taught, focusing on the lost, and bringing people to Christ is our goal. We need every Christian focused on this rather than the things of this world.
I pray we all focus on Jesus. I pray we set aside our personal preferences to be a unified body. I pray each one of us looks for opportunities to share Jesus with others. Focus on Jesus. Seek to follow His example. Talk about Jesus to others. Let go of selfishness. Work as a team. Be unified in Christ. Be of one mind. Speak with one voice.
Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marty Pressey 